Welcome back Sunita, Earth missed you: PM Modi leads nation in cheering her return

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined celebrities, politicians, scientists and others on Wednesday to celebrate the return of Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams to earth after nine months, terming her an inspiration for generations to come and lauding her determination.

"India's daughter and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit," Murmu said on X. "Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of Nasa's Crew9 mission to earth. Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage," she added.

The PM said it was a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit of the astronauts. "Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions. Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality," he said, adding that Williams, a "trailblazer and an icon", had exemplified this spirit throughout her career.

Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal, as well as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were among those who congratulated Williams. "The successful splashdown of Crew9, accomplishing a challenging space expedition, is a testament to the power of human resilience. It is an inspiring demonstration of how even the toughest hurdles can be overcome with sheer courage, patience and dedication," Shah said.

"India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space," Singh added. "Welcome back to earth, Sunita Williams," Kharge said, adding the safe conclusion of the mission had brought a sense of relief and elation to India's 1.4 billion citizens.